Forest Service awards helicopter services contract to Mountain West Helicopters, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $6,553,045 ($6.6M)
Contractor: Mountain West Helicopters, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture
Start Date: 2025-03-25
End Date: 2026-12-31
Sector: Other
Official Description: MOUNTAIN WEST - T1 EU FOR BISHOP, CA
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Agriculture obligated $6.6 million to MOUNTAIN WEST HELICOPTERS, LLC for work described as: MOUNTAIN WEST - T1 EU FOR BISHOP, CA Key points: 1. Contract awarded for aerial firefighting and support services. 2. Competition was limited, with a single offer received. 3. Potential risk associated with sole-source nature of the award. 4. Ensures critical wildfire suppression capabilities for the region.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The value of this contract is substantial, supporting essential aerial operations. The award appears to align with the agency's needs for wildfire management.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicating that only one vendor was solicited or deemed capable. This approach may limit competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for essential wildfire suppression services.
Public Impact
Ensures rapid response to wildfires, protecting lives and property. Supports environmental conservation efforts by combating forest fires. Provides critical infrastructure for emergency management operations.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award may indicate limited market competition.
- Reliance on a single provider could pose supply chain risks.
Positive Signals
- Addresses critical need for aerial firefighting resources.
- Supports agency's mission to protect national forests.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the aviation services sector, specifically supporting federal land management agencies in their wildfire suppression and resource management efforts.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the awardee is not identified as a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was considered.
Oversight & Accountability
The Forest Service is responsible for overseeing the performance of this contract to ensure timely and effective delivery of helicopter services. Accountability will be maintained through performance metrics and regular reporting.
Related Government Programs
- Helicopter Services
- Wildfire Suppression
- Aviation Support
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Limited competition
Tags
helicopter-services, wildfire-suppression, department-of-agriculture, forest-service, mountain-west-helicopters, sole-source, delivery-order
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Agriculture awarded $6.6 million to MOUNTAIN WEST HELICOPTERS, LLC. MOUNTAIN WEST - T1 EU FOR BISHOP, CA
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MOUNTAIN WEST HELICOPTERS, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $6.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-03-25. End: 2026-12-31.
Analysis insight 1
The sole-source nature of this award warrants further investigation into market research conducted.
Analysis insight 2
Understanding the specific capabilities of the awarded vendor is key to assessing value.
Analysis insight 3
The duration of the contract suggests a long-term need for these services.